History of Štitar
The area of Štitar has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with archaeological finds from the Neolithic and Metal Ages. Roman artifacts such as coins, pottery, weapons, and jewelry suggest the presence of a Roman road that once passed through here, connecting Sisak (Siscia) to Sremska Mitrovica (Sirmium).
Štitar is first mentioned in written records in the 14th century. Over the centuries, it changed ownership between several noble families. Frequent flooding from the Sava River forced the relocation of the original settlement to higher ground. In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, new families settled here, mainly from nearby Bosnian villages.
Under the Military Frontier system, Štitar became part of the Slavonian Military Border, with male residents obligated to serve in the military. The area was strategically important, with guard towers (čardaci) and significant infrastructure like the Brod fortress being built using local labor.
Throughout history, Štitar was influenced by various economic, military, and political changes — including plans for a Danube–Sava canal in the 18th century, which were eventually abandoned. The region also contributed to forestry and silkworm cultivation, supported by the imperial authorities.
The village faced depopulation during the early 20th century and was affected by both World Wars and the Homeland War in the 1990s. Though not directly attacked, Štitar became a refuge for displaced persons from war-torn areas, especially from Bosnian Posavina.
Today, Štitar stands as a place of resilience, history, and cultural heritage, shaped by centuries of migration, defense, and community strength.
Location and Accessibility
Štitar is located in the eastern part of Vukovar-Srijem County and enjoys a highly favorable geographic and transport position. To the south, it is bordered by the Sava River, forming a natural boundary with neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina. To the north, the Zagreb–Lipovac motorway passes nearby, serving as a key route for both national and international transit.
“Seven villages around the village of Štitar” — so goes a local song.
According to tradition, seven smaller settlements once surrounded today’s Štitar, each with around 13 to 14 households. Around 1780, these communities merged into one village, which has since grown into a settlement with 721 households and 2,108 residents.
Štitar is the youngest local government unit in the Republic of Croatia. It became an independent municipality on July 13, 2006, having previously been part of the City of Županja.
Located in the western part of Vukovar-Srijem County, the municipality enjoys a strategically favorable position. It is bordered to the south by the Sava River, forming a natural boundary with Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the Zagreb–Lipovac highway, an important national and international transit route, runs to its north.
The Municipality of Štitar covers an area of 1,012 hectares (40.12 km²), and borders the municipalities of Babina Greda, Gradište, and the city of Županja. It lies at an altitude of 83 meters, in a region characterized by flat, lowland terrain.
Population
The Municipality of Štitar consists of a single settlement Štitar with a population of 2,108, according to the 2011 census.
Štitar’s population has been shaped by centuries of migration. Following the wars from 1687 to 1691, many families, especially from the nearby parish of Crkvište in Bosnia moved across the Sava River and settled in Štitar.
By the early 18th century, around 40 families lived in over 80 households, mainly originating from the village of Utorkovići in Bosnian Posavina.
Despite historical displacements, most early families remained or resettled nearby. In the 1990s, during the Croatian War of Independence, Štitar saw a new wave of population growth, as refugees from neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina found temporary shelter in the area, continuing its long tradition as a place of refuge and resilience.
Feel free to contact us for more information or to plan your visit to Štitar.